Condition dependent self-configuring inflow control device and method

ABSTRACT

A condition dependent self-configuring inflow control device (ICD) including a flow path configured to change in response to a different fluid flow therethrough, a degradable material disposed in the flow path that prevents the change until the degradable material is degraded. A method for maximizing production over a life of a wellbore including maintaining an inflow control device (ICD) in a first of a plurality of configurations wherein the first configuration is of the relatively lowest pressure drop of the plurality of configurations, producing fluids through the ICD, automatically releasing the ICD to change to another of the plurality of configurations, and preferentially producing fluids through the ICD.

BACKGROUND

In the resource recovery industry well systems are in use for many years and conditions will change over the lifetime of a well. While much value has been achieved by managing a profile of produced fluids entering the well, thereby reducing early breakthrough, by building in inflow control devices (ICDs) along a production conduit, there are also drawbacks to the use of such devices. Specifically, consideration of likely conditions over the life of the well must be taken into account when type and number of ICD is determined. This necessarily entails a compromise that inevitably reduces the production potential toward the beginning of the life of the well in order to support continued production toward the end of life of the well.

With ever-increasing pressure on costs of production, the art will well receive alternative concepts and configurations that improve production over the lifetime of the well.

SUMMARY

An embodiment of a condition dependent self-configuring inflow control device (ICD) including a flow path configured to change in response to a different fluid flow therethrough, a degradable material disposed in the flow path that prevents the change until the degradable material is degraded.

A method for maximizing production over a life of a wellbore including maintaining an inflow control device (ICD) in a first of a plurality of configurations wherein the first configuration is of the relatively lowest pressure drop of the plurality of configurations, producing fluids through the ICD, automatically releasing the ICD to change to another of the plurality of configurations, and preferentially producing fluids through the ICD

A condition dependent self-configuring inflow control device (ICD) including a fluid pathway configured to cause a pressure drop in fluid flowing therein through the ICD, a degradable material disposed in a portion of the pathway such that while the degradable material is present, the pressure drop for fluid flowing through the ICD is less than the pressure drop for fluid flowing through the ICD when the degradable material is not present.

A condition dependent self-configuring inflow control device (ICD) including a mobile member disposed in a fluid pathway of the ICD, the moveable member changing a pressure drop in a fluid flowing in the fluid pathway based upon a position of the mobile member, and a degradable material disposed in contact with the movable member to restrain the movable member in a position of a least pressure drop for the ICD.

A wellbore including a borehole in a subsurface formation, a string in the borehole, and a condition dependent self-configuring inflow control device (ICD) as claimed in claim 1 disposed in the string.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following descriptions should not be considered limiting in any way. With reference to the accompanying drawings, like elements are numbered alike:

FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a condition dependent self-configuring inflow control device in a first configuration;

FIG. 2 is the view of FIG. 1 with illustrations of fluid flowing therethrough;

FIG. 3 is the condition dependent self-configuring inflow control device in a second configuration;

FIG. 4 is the condition dependent self-configuring inflow control device in a final configuration;

FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration of another condition dependent self-configuring inflow control device in a first configuration;

FIG. 6 is the device of FIG. 5 in a final configuration; and

FIG. 7 is a schematic representation of a wellbore comprising the inflow control device as taught herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A detailed description of one or more embodiments of the disclosed apparatus and method are presented herein by way of exemplification and not limitation with reference to the Figures.

Referring to FIG. 1 , a schematic view of a Condition Dependent Self-Configuring Inflow Control Device (“ICD”) 10 configuration is illustrated. The ICD comprises distinct operating configurations and the ability to change from the first operating configuration to a final operating configuration automatically upon reacting to a local downhole condition. The illustration in FIG. 1 is of a type of ICD configuration having no moving parts and a tortuous pathway 12 that produces a pressure drop in fluids flowing though the ICD. The particular illustrated embodiment creates a cyclonic effect to separate lower viscosity fluids from higher viscosity fluids with a result of preferentially producing the fluids of the higher viscosity. The structural configuration for this type of ICD (whether exactly of the geometry illustrated or of other geometries of ICD that have no moving parts), does lose some productivity when operating in the higher pressure drop mode and hence suffers a reduced productivity in situations where it would otherwise be possible to produce a desired fluid without the need for preferential production, such as during the early life of a well. To enhance the production of that desired fluid through the ICD during the early life of the well, while simultaneously planning for the later life of the well and the need to separate unwanted fluids, some of the pathway 12 of the ICD 10 is blocked with a degradable material 14. The degradable material 14 (“degradable” terminology including dissolvable, disintegrable, corrodible, etc.) eliminates part of the pathway 12 thereby removing the losses in production rate for fluid passing therethrough. When there is a need to separate lower viscosity fluids however, such as when water begins to break through, the material 14 will dissolve opening those portions of the pathway that were closed with the material 14. In an embodiment, the material is a CEM material available from Baker Hughes, Houston Texas, USA. The material is configured to degrade when exposed to a fluid that would be desirable to exclude from production. Accordingly, when water begins to break through, resulting in the degradation of the material 14, the water gets excluded from production through the cyclonic action that the ICD 10 when the flow path is partially (FIG. 3 ) or fully (FIG. 4 ) open.

Referring to FIGS. 2-4 , the flow is illustrated in various stages of configuration of the ICD 10. FIG. 2 shows the fluid path of fluids entering the ICD 10 without an undesirable low viscosity fluid in the mix. This fluid will be predominantly oil and will have a reduced tortuosity path through the ICD due to the material 14 blocking part of the pathway. The reduced tortuosity maintains the smallest pressure drop through the ICD and hence the highest productivity rate. Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4 (progressively), the flow path is illustrated after water has entered the production stream. The material 14 degrades due to exposure to the water and opens the longer flow pathway increasing tortuosity of the fluid flowing through the ICD 10. Because this ICD 10 configuration promotes cyclonic action, the lower viscosity fluid (water in the example) is migrated to the outside while oil is preferentially produced. While the pressure drop through the ICD 10 is now higher for all fluids, the reduced production rate that is inherent in the ICD 10 in the configuration of FIGS. 3 and 4 avoids the production of undesirable fluid and is hence helpful. And because the full flow path of the ICD 10 (FIG. 4 ) that causes the greater pressure drop for desirable fluids as well as undesirable fluids does not “exist” until the material 14 is degraded, the ICD can be more effective at managing flow in both early production conditions and late production conditions rather than simply in only one of those conditions as the prior art is.

The foregoing explanation relates to any ICD with a tortuous flow path and no moving parts. Selecting a portion of the path to block using a degradable material will result in a reduced tortuosity and therefore a smaller pressure drop than will be the case after the degradable material is removed.

The concept of improving inflow control devices by causing such a device to have at least first and a final configuration where the ICD performs differently by physically and automatically changing between the first and final configurations also applies to ICDs having moving parts.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6 , an ICD 20 having a mobile member 22 that reacts to fluid flow viscosity or velocity is illustrated. When an undesirable fluid is flowing, the member 22 will tend to close the ICD to flow thereby excluding the undesirable fluid. The ICD 20 as disclosed herein also includes a degradable material 24 that fixes the ICD 20 in a first position. This means that the mobile member 22 cannot move while the degradable material 24 is in place. In this configuration, the pressure drop across the ICD 20 is minimized and production of desired fluid (the predominant fluid flowing at this point in well life) is maximized. The ICD remains in this condition until a fluid that is degradative of the material 24 (water in an embodiment) is encountered in the produced fluid. When the produced fluid also includes the undesirable fluid (the fluid, e.g. water, that will trigger the degradation of the material 24) then material 24 will degrade. Upon degradation of the material 24, the mobile member 22 is free to move based upon the viscosity or velocity of the fluid flowing through the ICD 20. This configuration of ICD 20 automatically excludes the undesirable fluid as intended. As with the former described embodiment, there is an increase in pressure drop for desired fluids when the ICD 20 is operating to exclude unwanted fluids over the pressure drop across the ICD 20 when fluids are not being excluded but the full function of the ICD 20 also allows continued production for a longer time than would be possible without the ICD 20 so the operator is better off than without the ICD. And since with the ICD 20 configured as shown in FIG. 5 to begin with, the reduction in efficiency that is inherent with the full operation of the ICD 20 as shown in FIG. 6 is avoided until it is needed. Again, this change of configuration of the ICD 20 occurs automatically and without any action from the surface.

In use, the ICDs as described herein help increase production over the life of the well by maintaining an inflow control device (ICD) in a first of a plurality of configurations wherein the first configuration is of the relatively lowest pressure drop of the plurality of configurations. This keeps the greatest production rate while the well is not producing significant undesirable fluid. The operator thus produces fluids in this stage through the ICD. The ICD then automatically releases the ICD to change to another of the plurality of configurations on the trigger of being exposed to a fluid that can degrade the material discussed above. Upon this occurring, which happened completely automatically the operator simply continues producing using the full capability of the now unencumbered ICD and preferentially produces desirable fluids through the ICD.

Also contemplated herein is a wellbore 30 (see FIG. 7 ) including the ICD embodiments set forth herein. The wellbore 30 comprises a borehole 32 in a subsurface formation 34. The borehole 32 has disposed therewithin a string 36. The string 36 includes any of the ICD embodiments 10, 20 discussed.

Set forth below are some embodiments of the foregoing disclosure:

Embodiment 1: A condition dependent self-configuring inflow control device (ICD) including a flow path configured to change in response to a different fluid flow therethrough, a degradable material disposed in the flow path that prevents the change until the degradable material is degraded.

Embodiment 2: The ICD as in any prior embodiment, wherein the flowpath includes a mobile member.

Embodiment 3: The ICD as in any prior embodiment, wherein the degradable material immobilizes the mobile member.

Embodiment 4: The ICD as in any prior embodiment, wherein the flow path is cyclonic.

Embodiment 5: The ICD as in any prior embodiment, wherein the material is disposed in a portion of the flow path that causes a reduction in flow path length.

Embodiment 6: The ICD as in any prior embodiment, wherein the mobile member is fixed in a first position by the degradable material.

Embodiment 7: A method for maximizing production over a life of a wellbore including maintaining an inflow control device (ICD) in a first of a plurality of configurations wherein the first configuration is of the relatively lowest pressure drop of the plurality of configurations, producing fluids through the ICD, automatically releasing the ICD to change to another of the plurality of configurations, and preferentially producing fluids through the ICD.

Embodiment 8: The method as in any prior embodiment, wherein the automatically releasing is degrading a degradable material; Embodiment 9: The method as in any prior embodiment, wherein the automatically releasing is allowing a mobile member to move.

Embodiment 10: The method as in any prior embodiment, wherein the automatic releasing is opening a portion of a flow path.

Embodiment 11: A condition dependent self-configuring inflow control device (ICD) including a fluid pathway configured to cause a pressure drop in fluid flowing therein through the ICD, a degradable material disposed in a portion of the pathway such that while the degradable material is present, the pressure drop for fluid flowing through the ICD is less than the pressure drop for fluid flowing through the ICD when the degradable material is not present.

Embodiment 12: A condition dependent self-configuring inflow control device (ICD) including a mobile member disposed in a fluid pathway of the ICD, the moveable member changing a pressure drop in a fluid flowing in the fluid pathway based upon a position of the mobile member, and a degradable material disposed in contact with the movable member to restrain the movable member in a position of a least pressure drop for the ICD.

Embodiment 13: A wellbore including a borehole in a subsurface formation, a string in the borehole, and a condition dependent self-configuring inflow control device (ICD) as claimed in claim 1 disposed in the string.

The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in the context of describing the invention (especially in the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. Further, it should be noted that the terms “first,” “second,” and the like herein do not denote any order, quantity, or importance, but rather are used to distinguish one element from another. The modifier “about” used in connection with a quantity is inclusive of the stated value and has the meaning dictated by the context (e.g., it includes the degree of error associated with measurement of the particular quantity).

The teachings of the present disclosure may be used in a variety of well operations. These operations may involve using one or more treatment agents to treat a formation, the fluids resident in a formation, a wellbore, and/or equipment in the wellbore, such as production tubing. The treatment agents may be in the form of liquids, gases, solids, semi-solids, and mixtures thereof. Illustrative treatment agents include, but are not limited to, fracturing fluids, acids, steam, water, brine, anti-corrosion agents, cement, permeability modifiers, drilling muds, emulsifiers, demulsifiers, tracers, flow improvers etc. Illustrative well operations include, but are not limited to, hydraulic fracturing, stimulation, tracer injection, cleaning, acidizing, steam injection, water flooding, cementing, etc.

While the invention has been described with reference to an exemplary embodiment or embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the claims. Also, in the drawings and the description, there have been disclosed exemplary embodiments of the invention and, although specific terms may have been employed, they are unless otherwise stated used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation, the scope of the invention therefore not being so limited. 

1. A condition dependent self-configuring inflow control device (ICD) comprising: a flow path configured to change in response to a different fluid flow therethrough; a degradable material disposed in the flow path that prevents the change until the degradable material is degraded.
 2. The ICD as claimed in claim 1 wherein the flowpath includes a mobile member.
 3. The ICD as claimed in claim 2 wherein the degradable material immobilizes the mobile member.
 4. The ICD as claimed in claim 1 wherein the flow path is cyclonic.
 5. The ICD as claimed in claim 1 wherein the material is disposed in a portion of the flow path that causes a reduction in flow path length.
 6. The ICD as claimed in claim 1 wherein the mobile member is fixed in a first position by the degradable material.
 7. A method for maximizing production over a life of a wellbore comprising: maintaining an inflow control device (ICD) in a first of a plurality of configurations wherein the first configuration is of the relatively lowest pressure drop of the plurality of configurations; producing fluids through the ICD; automatically releasing the ICD to change to another of the plurality of configurations; and preferentially producing fluids through the ICD.
 8. The method as claimed in claim 7 wherein the automatically releasing is degrading a degradable material.
 9. The method as claimed in claim 7 wherein the automatically releasing is allowing a mobile member to move.
 10. The method as claimed in claim 7 wherein the automatic releasing is opening a portion of a flow path.
 11. A condition dependent self-configuring inflow control device (ICD) comprising: a fluid pathway configured to cause a pressure drop in fluid flowing therein through the ICD; a degradable material disposed in a portion of the pathway such that while the degradable material is present, the pressure drop for fluid flowing through the ICD is less than the pressure drop for fluid flowing through the ICD when the degradable material is not present.
 12. A condition dependent self-configuring inflow control device (ICD) comprising: a mobile member disposed in a fluid pathway of the ICD the moveable member changing a pressure drop in a fluid flowing in the fluid pathway based upon a position of the mobile member; and a degradable material disposed in contact with the movable member to restrain the movable member in a position of a least pressure drop for the ICD.
 13. A wellbore comprising: a borehole in a subsurface formation; a string in the borehole; and a condition dependent self-configuring inflow control device (ICD) as claimed in claim 1 disposed in the string. 